This morning, the watchmaking world received an entirely unexpected piece of news. Breitling has expanded its portfolio by acquiring Universal Genève. This move represents a significant enrichment in the landscape of luxury watchmaking, with hopes that Breitling will rejuvenate a brand historically known for its excellence and innovation in the field of watchmaking.
Georges Kern, CEO of Breitling, expressed great optimism regarding the acquisition, emphasizing the importance of preserving and enhancing the legacy of Universal Genève. “We are thrilled to welcome Universal Genève into our family. It is our intention to honor and strengthen the brand’s history, known for its precision watches and design innovation,” stated Kern. Additionally, according to Breitling’s CEO, the two entities will operate separately, facilitated by the development of a team entirely dedicated to Universal Genève.
Alfred Gantner, co-founder of Partners Group and chairman of the board of directors of Breitling, commented, “Rebuilding a brand with such a rich narrative is certainly not a quick endeavor, but rather a meticulous labor of love that we expect to evolve over the coming years.”
A Brief History of Universal Genève
Founded in 1894, Universal Genève gained prestige for its innovative designs and technical excellence, especially in the first half of the 20th century. The brand experienced various periods of success.
In the early 1920s, Universal Genève distinguished itself with its elegant women’s cocktail watches and men’s timepiece jewelry, including the Cabriolet, one of the first reversible watches.
Universal Genève Cabriolet
In the 1940s, the brand played a key role in the development of the chronograph, introducing a wide range of Compax models and the famous Tri-Compax with a full calendar.
In the 1950s, Universal Genève commissioned Gérald Genta, then 23 years old, to design the Polerouter watch, resistant to various climatic conditions. During this period, the brand also introduced an innovative automatic movement, the Microtor.
In the 1960s, the brand successfully relaunched the Compax series as sports watches, including the “Nina Rindt” chronograph and the “Eric Clapton” Tri-Compax with a full calendar, named after their famous wearers.
The advent of the quartz crisis posed a significant challenge for Universal Genève, leading to a change in its trajectory. Since 1989, the brand has been owned by Stelux Group, based in Hong Kong.
With this acquisition, Breitling aims to relaunch Universal Genève, combining Swiss tradition with a contemporary approach. Joseph Wong, president and CEO of Stelux Group, expressed confidence in Breitling’s ability to further elevate the Universal Genève brand, preserving its legacy and spirit.
The two companies, both specialists in the field of chronographs, have had past interactions as both rivals and allies. This acquisition marks a new chapter in their shared history, with the goal of preserving their individuality and honoring their common heritage of ingenuity and innovation.
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